The excavation and opening of wells and the withdrawal of water therefrom for the sole purpose of improving or preserving the utility of land by draining them shall not be forbidden or governed by this act, and, likewise, there shall be excepted from the provisions of this act the excavation and opening of wells and withdrawal of water therefrom by canal companies, irrigation districts, and other owners of irrigation works for the sole purpose of recovering ground water resulting from irrigation under such irrigation works for further use on or drainage of lands to which the established water rights of the parties constructing the wells are appurtenant; providing that the drilling of such wells shall be subject to the licensing provisions of section 42-238, Idaho Code.